Weeds, by there very nature, are very hardy and opportunistic. There are fall and winter weeds, spring weeds, and summer weeds. All it takes is a little rain and the weeds move in. One of the most exciting discoveries of recent years has been the pre-emergent action of Corn Gluten Meal for controlling most common lawn weeds. With proper attention and application even the most neglected lawns can become weed free with the application of this all natural non-chemical product.
Dr. Nick Christians of Iowa State University began a research project in 1985 using corn gluten meal. His experiments led to the discovery and development of a natural product for pre-emergence weed control using 100% corn gluten meal. (Click here to visit the Iowa State Corn Gluten research page. http://www.hort.iastate.edu/gluten/.)
How does it work?
The Gluten Meal in Nature's Guide Corn Gluten Meal inhibits root formation of germinating seeds. Without roots the plants can not get water and soon die.
What is it?
Corn gluten meal is a by product of corn processing. It is a completely natural residual product with a content of 9% nitrogen. Nitrogen is a plant nutrient responsible for the vivid green color of healthy plants. Because it is all natural, the nitrogen in Nature's Guide Corn Gluten Meal is released slowly over a longer period of time than chemical fertilizers. Corn gluten meal is produced as a fine naturally yellow powder.
What weeds does it work on?
Twenty-two (22) weed species have been screened for susceptibility to corn gluten meal: black medic, black nightshade, buckhorn plantain, catchweed, bedstraw, common lambsquarter, curly dock, dandelion, purslane, redroot pigweed, velvet leaf, annual bluegreass, barnyard grass, creeping bentgrass, giant foxtail, large crabgrass, orchard grass, quackgrass. shattercane, smooth crabgrass, wooly cupgrass, and yellow foxtail. Corn gluten meal significantly reduced plant survival, shoot length, and root development of all tested species.
How is it applied?
Corn gluten meal is applied at the rate of 20 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. At this rate it reduced crabgrass by 58A% at the end of the first year and 85% at the end of the second year, and 91% at the end of year three. Dandelion infestation was nearly eliminated in plots treated at rates above 20 lbs. per 1,000 square feet in the second and third years of the study. We recommend making an application in October, another in January or early February and, where grass burrs are a problem another in May or early June.
Corn gluten meal does not have any post emergence effect on weeds. For optimum control of weeds apply Nature's Guide Corn Gluten Meal a few weeks before germination. It should be watered thoroughly in absence of rainfall followed by several dry days to allow plants without roots to die before irrigation.
Nature's Guide P.O. Box 471549 Fort Worth, Texas 76147
100% Organic Fertilizers and Natural Gardening Products
Keep your lawn weed free naturally
